JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 2, 2011) - The ETSU men's track and field team has begun its final preparations for the 33rd annual Niswonger Foundation Track and Field Invitational/KTC High School Indoor Track Classic, which will be held inside the ETSU/MSHA Athletic Center this weekend on the David E. Walker Track.

"We are extremely excited to be hosting the Niswonger Invitational again this year," said assistant coach Eli Sunquist. "It has always been a great meet not only for our team, but also for the community. We are expecting over 90 teams on the collegiate side, and close to 1500 athletes. The timing of this meet works great with our training, since our athletes are at the point now to come through with some break out performances, in front of their home crowd. Having a 300m indoor facility will also really benefit our sprint and distance athletes, so we are looking for some personal best performances from them as well."

The two-day event will see over 1,500 athletes from close to 90 teams compete as the Bucs face off against several teams from the Atlantic Sun, Big South and Southern Conference.

"I am also very glad that so many A-Sun schools have been able to make the trip," Sunquist added. "We are looking forward to going head to head against them, at the same venue that conference will be in two weeks. Our kids are looking forward to it immensely."

The meet begins at 10 a.m. Friday morning, and runs until seven o'clock Saturday evening and features 16 events for both the men and women. Admission for the 33rd annual Niswonger Foundation Track and Field Invitational/KTC High School Indoor Track Classic is $5 per day.